From Sally Lee for Chuck Edmonds:
The cookoff in Ft. Worth at the VFW Post #10374 has the wrong date listed in the trails. It should be on February 6th not the 7th. The corrected paper work has been received however the date in the trails and upcomings is still listing it on the 7th. Please post a correction on the blog to show the correct date of February 6th.

From Keith Karaff:

From the Board of Directors:


After a successful 1st year BBQ cook-off @ TICC, the Board has voted to continue this event.
1. Chili cooks who choose to enter the BBQ competition should be allowed to cook on their campsite?


2. Should BBQ pits be disallowed in the cooks area for any use?


3. Should fire pits be allowed?




...Please respond to: Janice Miller at garjans@suddenlink.net Janice Miller


NOTE:
I will continue to post each day, but can not promise what part of the day this will happen.  I am staying up nights with my Dad at the Hopsital to help him get oriented.  He is not only healing from the removal of the Brain Abcess, but has a problem with his swallowing and his throat and lungs.  It is going to be a long process, but he is really trying.  Thanks for all your prayers, etc. 

The Board of Director's Workshop and Winter Board Meeting was a success.  A special thanks to the Irving Elks for their hospitality and the work it took to make sure that  we were well taken care of.  I will be sharing over the next few days information from both days.  I had and extra 2 hrs in the Dallas Airport because of weather in Des Moines, Iowa, so it was late before I got home and I was ready to crash by then.  I will get my notes together today and start sharing tomorrow.  A special Thanks to those CASI Members that took time from their busy schedule to attend the meeting and participate.  Thanks to all of the Board Members for helping me get everything together and for working together to accomplish the work needed to keep CASI running smoothly.

From Rex Jones:
Jim Maxfield died Friday nite at Temple Tx. Jim retired and moved to Temple from Dallas. He ran quite a few cookoff in the 90 and helped with Terlingua CO at that time. Services will be Monday 2 PM at Scanio Funeral Home in Temple. Tx.

From Ruby Ross:
WOW! What can we say? Our new Year's Eve party & 3 days of cooking chili broke all records. It amazes me how our 'chili family' works together & makes things happen without much effort. Our thanks to Tom Cook our GP, to Carrie & the cooking crew for plenty of good food & Northwood Health Care Center & HLP members for the "Hot Dogs" & meal on Thursday. Thanks to Pat & the registration crew for their hard work and thanks to John & Sue for being our referee three days. We are always thankful to Jeanette & Jessie for running judging. Thanks to Doc for running judging on Sunday. It would take this entire page to individually thank each one so I say 'THANK YOU' to each one who attended and made these four days a success. We appreciate you!

We had 87 cooks on Friday, 82 cooks on Sat & 49 cooks on Sunday. The American Legion & Ladies Auxiliary were very pleased with the number of cooks we had. They said they made money on their raffles & 50/50 also. They were very appreciative & we definitely thank them for their hospitality & hard work. They are a great group to work with!

It is CASI scholarship time again. Thanks Carrie for delivering & picking up the applications. Tom has a committee to help him with the applications.

The holidays were great but it is time to begin making our plans for 2010 & our 39th Howdy-Roo. At our last meeting we selected our charities for Howdy-Roo. They are MF Helping Center & Family Crisis Center. Both charities were pleased & ready to go to work. Fae is ordering the raffle tickets so we can get a jump start on selling these. We have some good items to raffle this year. Tom asked each member to take the same job as last year for Howdy-Roo. He thinks a meeting is not needed until March. Notice the time change this will give everyone a chance to have a report at the next meeting. If you have any questions, please call Tom.

MF City is donating $1000 this year. We thank them for their generosity.

Doc will have the golf tournament on Friday again. Contact him 830-693-5502 or drk@tstar.net

As we all know, we are a small Pod & have a lot of work to do for Howdy-Roo. If any of you out-of-town members have an idea or want to get involved with our 39th Howdy-Roo, please e-mail me rross@nctv.com. We welcome you & your ideas.

A note from GP Tom: Thank you for your support in 2009. We want to make this 39th Howdy-Roo the best ever. I am doing real well. My energy level is good & I am getting stronger & still working. I am taking Chemo every two weeks. Thanks for all of your cards, thoughts & prayers. They are appreciated.

I will be posting more tomorrow.  Have a happy MLK Holiday.

From Lisa Tyson:
Hola everyone from your San Miguel Chili Cook-Off Committee:
We just wanted to follow up with you on a few things:
First of all. I just want to make sure that everyone knows that we will be having a Welcome Fiesta on Friday night, January 29 in the main lobby/dining area of Hotel Real de Minas. It is open to everyone associated with the Cook-Off. We will begin with cocktails at 6:00, and dinner at 7:00. We will be serving a Mexican buffet. We will also have live music and a fun piñata contest. The price is $200 pesos per person, or $20 USD, which includes your dinner, one free margarita and lots of fun. After your first margarita, there will be a full cash bar. The proceeds of your ticket price will go to Centro de Crecimiento, the charity we are supporting with our Cook-Off. Some of you have already RSVP'd (and I've listed below who I have). Those of you who have not, please send me an email as soon as possible because I need to let the hotel know. If you've not already purchased your ticket, you can purchase it at the party.


There will also be a post-party on Saturday night after the Cook-Off at the Sunset Bar at Hotel Casa Linda. Free entrance with 2 for 1 drinks until 8, free botanas, and live music.


We will be setting up the tents on Thursday and Friday, and you are all welcome to come to the site on Friday to see where your tent is located.


If anyone has any questions or special needs, please let me know. We're looking forward to a great cook-off!!
Thanks!


RSVPs:
Basura Blanca Chili: Wade Hampton and Joey Sutphen (2 people)
Beowulf Chili: Scott Winter (1 person, pre-paid)
Crveza de San Miguel: Robert Levine, Kim McDonald, Carolina Gomez, Matthew Carroll (4 people)
Chili Knights: Don Gill and Cynthia Gill (2 people)
Explore & Go Mexico: How many people?
Dr. Daddy's Sure Fire Cure: Jim and Amelia Spurlock (2 people)
Jim's Work in Progress: How many people?
Ma & Pa's Kettle: Richard Inmon & Roger Dill (2 people)
Ma & Pa's Kettle II: Karen Inmon & Becky Jones Dill (2 people)
MaxBoto Chili: Cynthia Whittenburg (1 person, pre-paid)
Spot's Chili Stop: Scott Woodard (1 person)
Wombat: James Benefield (1 person)
Wombat II: Deborah Benefield (1 person)
CASI: Janice Miller (1 person, pre-paid)


From Keith Karaff:

From John Daniels:

1st Ever Bob Conley Memorial Challenge

We in the Tyler area lost one of our valuable friends and cook on Nov. 18, 2009 when Bob Conley passed away. The Rose City Pod was discussing "How can we honor Bob's memory?" In planning for our Pod cookoff, we had discussed a competition for the four consecutive cookoffs in our immediate area. Bruce Young said "let's get Wendell to paint us a stove and we'll give it to the cook who gets the most points from the 4 cookoffs." This was discussed around our campfire in Terlingua as The Rose City Quad contest. Then Bruce came up with a different title and we had found our way. So we were off and running with this idea.


The rules are as follows:


The cook who accumulates the most points from these 4 cookoffs - Half Moon Grill & Saloon on Feb. 27, Rose City Pod on March 6, Tyler Elks Lodge on March 13 and the Tyler Rotary Club on March 20 will be awarded the 1st Ever Bob Conley Memorial Challenge trophy. This will be a Wendell Rankin hand-painted stove commemorating the event. (Note: Since the Rose City Pod cookoff is a 2 day cookoff, only the Saturday cookoff will count toward points for this challenge)


Please join us in honoring Bob.


John Daniels
Great Pepper
Rose City Chili Pod

I am getting ready to head for Dallas for our Board of Director's Meeting.  Thank all of you for your support, love and prayers for my Father.  Last Thursday, they only gave him hrs and I had to call the family and report.  On my way to the airport today, I must stop by the hospital and sign the papers that will allow him to be transfered to the Rehab section of the hospital.  He got his feeding tube on Monday and by Wed night he was strong enough (or determined) to walk down the hall.  He over heard the conversations about a Nursing home and man! did he get busy trying to get up.  He must have lost at least 30 lbs, and that made him weigh less than 100 lbs and he is 6"1".  Thank all of you for your support.  Our Chili Family is the BEST!!!

Just to remind you of the CASI Board of Director's Workshop on Sat starting at 8:00.  It is an oopen meeting with public interaction.  Come join the FUN.  It will be a day of excitment and entertainment!  Don't be the one in your area that misses all of this fun!

On Sunday, we will have our official Winter Board of Director's meeting.  It will start at 8:00 sharp.  As I have already heard from several of you, we will be done in time for you to see the COWBOY'S game!  Being a Bronco Fan, it is still okay to have it completed by noon, because they don't get to play any way.  Somebody told me that they forgot to play the sescond half of the year.  Oh well, there is always, next year! 

From Ed Nesbitt:Here is info on the Chili-cook-off in Bryan hosted by Elks Lodge 859. We will need lots of cooks and lots of helper to make this a great event. It is the Elks forth year to host us and lets really turn out and show how much we appreciate them.

For more information contact Roger Schoppe at the email below, Mavis Nelson or me and I will be glad to find what you need.
 
Saturday Feb. 6, 2010
Brazos Valley Elks 859
4th Annual CCO. Held at 304 Mobile Ave, Bryan Tx Behind Triangle Bowling and Old College Ave, look for the Signs!

CASi Division Entry $15.00
Turn in 2 pm (Grind Only)
50/50 Beans $5.00 Turn in at noon
Rv Hook-ups Limited Numbers Please call
Benefits Local Community Projects
Entry Fees lowered because of fuel cost
For more information Call Roger Schoppe 979-220-5611 rschoppe@athletics.tamu.edu

Sunday Feb.7, 2010
Brazos Valley Elks 859
4th Annual CCO. Held at 304 Mobile Ave, Bryan Tx
Behind Triangle Bowling and Old College Ave, look for the Signs!
CASi Division Entry $15.00 Turn in 1 pm
(Grind Only)
Rv Hook-ups Limited Numbers Please call
Benefits Local Community Projects
Entry Fees lowered because of fuel cost
For more information Call Roger Schoppe 979-220-5611 rschoppe@athletics.tamu.edu.

From Cynthia Gill:

Don't forget this International CCO. Please Note that this is an International CCO Championship, not a State Open Championship. The information in January Trails was not correct! First 3 winners automatically qualify for TICC. San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato Mexico at the Real de Minas Hotel grounds.

Benefits Centro de Crecimiento providing rehabilitation and Education for disabled children.

San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque Spanish Colonial City with Cobble Stone streets and breathe taking Mountain Vistas and is known as the land of Eternal Spring. There has been a CCO off at this location for 3 years. This year it will be a CASI sanctioned International CCO. Chili entry fee will be $22.00 or 300 pesos. Chili Grind only. There is a web
site www.smachilicookoff.com with more information. Contact Cynthia Gill at 832 287 1912.

From Vickie Childers:
Another great weekend at the Tri-State Open Chili Championship in Amarillo, TX. I would like to thank everyone that helped make it a great success again.




On Friday night we had a great meal and a band that played. Also it was the Tall In Texas Pod cook-off and a junior cook-off.


There were 51 cooks.
1st. David Lefler Bardwell, TX
2nd. Mike Parker Trinidad, Co
3rd David Manski Arlington, TX
4th Tim Collier Snyder, TX
5th Kelly Draper Tahoka, TX
6th Kathy Mulkey Hobbs, NM
7th Connie Collier Snyder, TX
8th Kevin Wooster Wichita Falls, TX
9th Dave Boone Odessa, TX
10th Kim Draper Tahoka, TX


The weather was good just cold which made it great for the public to come out. It was chili weather. At one time it was wall to wall people in the building. Saturday started out with a great breakfast and a day full of fun. We had 115 chili's turned in. To see pictures of the cook-off go to amarillo.com and click on photos & video then click on spotted it is under Make-a-Wish chili Cook-off. These were taken by our News Paper and put on there online news paper.


1st Kathy Mulkey Hobbs, NM Automatic Q
2nd Bruce Stewart Hurst, TX Automatic Q
3rd Kevin Wooster Wichita Falls, TX Automatic Q
4th Mike Parker Trinidad, CO
5th Nita Hoff Amarillo, TX
6th Karen Bains Rankin, TX
7th Connie Collier Snyder, TX
8th Unclaimed
9th Tereasa Cotter Lewisville, TX
10th Vickie Childers Amarillo,TX


Showmanship
1st Terlingua Taxi's David Waddle Amarillo, TX
automatic Q
2nd Family Recipe Ken Cotter Lewisville, TX
3rd Terlingua Suites Phylicia Rowland Amarillo, TX


From Cynthia Gill:
Don't forget this International  CCO.  Please Note that this is an International CCO Championship, not a State Open Championship. First 3 winners automatically qualify for TICC. San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato Mexico at the Real de Minas Hotel grounds.


Benefits Centro de Crecimiento providing Rehabilitation and Education for disabled children.
San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque Spanish Colonial City with Cobble Stone streets and breathe taking Mountain Vistas and is known as the land
of Eternal Spring. There has been a CCO off at this location for 3 years. This year it will be a CASI sanctioned International CCO. Chili entry fee will be $22.00 or 300 pesos. Chili Grind only. There is a web
site www.smachilicookoff.com with more information. Contact Cynthia Gill at 832 287 1912.


Do not forget that this weekend is the CASI Board of Director's Meeting held at the Irving Elks Lodge in Irving, TX.  Saturday will be the workshop.  During the workshop, any CASI member is welcomed to address an issue.  On Sunday, the Board of Directors will hold their Official Winter Board meeting.  Both days the meetings will start at 8:00 AM.  All CASI members are welcomed to attend.


It is Wednesday and here is the list of CCOs for this weekend.


Jan 16, 2010-001 - Odessa, TX CASI. American Legion Cookoff. Held at 8th and Pueblo. Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY. We can cook inside if bad weather. Keith Coffman 432-367-9093.


Jan 16, 2010-002 - Wichita Falls, TX CASI. 16th Annual Wichita East VFD CCO. Held at 2070 Hwy 79 North. Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Brisket $15, $5 local backyard chili, Beans $5 turn-in Noon. Friday night cooks feed at station. Contact Kevin Wooster 940-781-3990.


Jan 16, 2010-003 - Converse, TX CASI. 19th Half Way Point CCO. At American Legion Post 593, 325 W Legion Drive. Entry fee $18 turn-in 2 PM. Benefits American Legion Charities. Cooks party Friday evening. Plenty of RV parking, cookoff next day same location. Contact Ken Rodd 210- 887-8827. casihotrodd@aol.com


Jan 16, 2010-004 - Rocky Point, MX CASI. Annual Fun in The Sun South of The Border Sonoran Desert International Chili Cookoff on the beach at Manny's Beach Club, Puerto Penasco Mexico. Top 3 auto qualifiers. Plenty of RV spots at nearby Playa De Oro RV Park just two blocks away. Turn- in is 1:00 pm. Benefits local Elementary School with entry fee of $25.00. T-shirts and Friday nite buffet dinner provided in reg fee. Free beer to cooks during Cookoff. High Desert Pod, Ben Berry for details. List of Hotels and phone numbers for Hotels and RV spots available at bandtberry@cox.net or (520)378- 3692. Don't forget the Day After CCO on Sunday!!


Jan 16, 2010-005 - Estes Park, CO CASI. 1st Annual Winter Festival January 15 - 18 2010. Held at Bond Park East Elkhorn Avenue and McGregor Avenue. Just a few of the activities planned for the weekend are ..CASI Chili ookoff wine tasting,snowman making in Bond Park,live music, cowboy poetry & ghost stories, aquatic center activities, observatory tours, scavenger hunt for the "prize elk," horse & carriage rides, private photo tours, spa promotions, horseback riding, glass blowing,fly fishing and the art gallery walk. Cooks Setup at 8 am CASI and Green turn in at Noon. Entry fee $ 15 for CASI or Green or cook both for $20. Make checks payable to Colorado Chili Pos. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Contact Lyman Wilkinson 970-669- 1573, chillyman@aol.com.


Jan 16, 2010-006 - Little Rock, AR CASI. Our Place Bar & Grill. Held at 7820 Stagecoach Rd, just East of I-430 on Hwy 5, 501-455- 3613. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Benefits Arkansas Childrens Hospital. GROUND MEAT ONLY. Contact Preston Nickle 501-791- 2191.


Jan 16, 2010-007 - Statesville, NC CASI. Pre-Super Bowl Elks Lodge Cook Off Held at 1521 Radio Rd. Stateville NC. See web www.ncchili.com. Beans turn in at 12:30, salsa turn in 1 PM CASI and Freestyle chili turn in 2 PM. Entry fee first chili $20, $10 entry for each additional category entered. Make checks payable to Piedmont Pepper Pod. Showmanship also judged. Benefits Elks Lodge charity's. This is held inside the Elks Lodge, tables and chairs will be furnished, this will be a great cook off rain or shine. Contact Bill Lundy 704-872-5652, bob@ncchili.com, jean@nccili.com.


Jan 16, 2010-008 - Plano, TX CASI. American Legion Riders Post 321 Cookoff, held at 1236 Avenue J at American Legion Post 321. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Jackpot Beans turn in at Noon. Contact Wendy Rouse 972-496-1362, 214-673- 6861, wrouse521@verizon.net. Make checks payable to ALR 321. For the Veterans Aid & Relief.


Jan 17, 2010-001 - Converse, TX TX CASI. Georgia Horner Chili Cookoff. Held at American Legion Post 593, 325 W Legion Drive. Entry fee $18 turn-in 1 PM. Plenty of RV parking. Cookoff previous day same location. Contact Ken Rodd 210-887-8827, casihotrodd@aol.com


Jan 17, 2010-002 - Rocky Point, MX CASI. Baja Cantina and Hotel CCO. Day After CCO benefits local Childrens Christmas Fund. Chili grind only. Turn-in is noon. Entry fee $25 includes T shirt and free breakfast. Special rates at Baja Hotel for cooks and guests. More info from Ben Berry, High Desert Pod at bandtberry@cox.net or (520)378- 3692. Last year's weather sunny and mid eighty degrees. Lots of TVs to see the football playoff games during the Cookoff.

Please note that the Board of Director's Workshop on Saturday at the Irving Elks and the Board of Director's Winter Meeting on Sunday at the Irving Elks will both start at 8:00 AM.

From Dana Plocheck:
The deadline for articles, pictures or ads for the Terlingua Trails is this Friday, January 15th. Due to the Directors Meeting this weekend I would sincerely appreciate everyone getting their information to me as early as possible.

Thank you.
Dana Plocheck

From Bruce Smith:
There will be no outside alcohol allowed at the Arkansas State Chili Cookoff January 23rd. I just got a call from the organizers and due to ABC Laws cooks will not be allowed to bring in alcohol of their own. They will be checking. Vendors will be on site to sell beer. Please pass on to all chili cooks.

From Mama Sue Caffey:
Thank you Commander Wally, Crystal, Linda, and Heather and Larry, for all your hospitality at Bastrop this past wintery weekend. The weather was very cold and the temperature went down to 14, so we thought we were up North. But 37 brave souls ventured out and cooked on Saturday.

Saturday winners Chili

1. Raymond Pilchieck, Bluffton Q'd
2. John Caffey, Rockdale Q'd
3. Sherrie Davis, So. Houston
4. Kelly Talavera, San Marcos
5. Sue Caffey, Rockdale
6. Earl Gorhum, Montgomery
7. Janet Cielincki, San Antonio
8. Jim Conley, Round Rock
9. Robert Talavera, San Marcos
10.Susan Dean, Johnson City

Show
1. Kelly Talavera, San Marcos
2. Sue Caffey, Rockdale
3. Keith Karaff, Magnolia

Crystal and Auxiliary fed us good Saturday night, we sang Happy Birthday to Margaret Nadeau, TICC 2009 times 2 Champ, we danced, we drank a few or more,
played cards, sang Scaryoke, and had another wonderful time. Neatest thing...we were BLESSED with 5 TICC Champs, all Ladies, (imagine that?).
Thank you Honey Jones, Pat Pilchieck, Debbie Ashman, Susan Dean, and Margaret Nadeau x 2, for being there. You all made us proud. It was neat seeing all of you assisting at the Finals table and the tables before.

Thanks also to Sherrie Davis for helping. Thanks John Caffey and Steve Ashman for Judge and Referee Saturday and Jeannette Cardenas and John Caffey for
Sunday. Thanks to our Monitors on Sunday and Mr.
and Mrs. Susan for final table.

Sunday Winners 35 Cooks
1. Jessie Waguespack, Austin
2. Fread Cielincki, San Antonio
3. John Caffey. Rockdale
4. Raymond Pilchieck, Bluff
5. Susan Dean, Johnson City Q'd
6. Janet Cielincki, San Antonio
7. Billy Doss, Georgetown
8. Earl Gorhum. Montgomery
9. Alan Dean, Johnson City Q'd
10.Robert Talavera, San Marcos

Show
1. Scott Knight, Cibolo
2. Sue Caffey, Rockdale
3. Keith Karaff, Magnolia

Even with the bad weather, we had a cozy building to judge in, to eat in, play in, and drink in.

Thank you all again for coming. Met some brand news
this weekend and a lot of us visited with them and
encouraged them. Hopefully they will return. Had some new judges there and they were rather amazed
at how it all came together with everyone working so
cordially together, like a well oiled machine. Some
even came back again on Sunday. Thank you all again. Remember prayers for all and GOD BLESS US ALL AND GOD BLESS AMERICA. Mama Sue

From Earl "Who" Gorham"
Well folks Tomball HEB is having their first ever chili cookoff on April 10th



Please put this cookoff on your calendar and help Piney Woods Pod make this a success for them.


From Ken Rodd:
CONVERSE AMERICAN LEGION CHILI COOKOFF

This weekend is the Converse American Legion Chili Cookoff on Saturday and Sunday. Friday night cooks party by the American Legion. Plenty of RV parking. Saturday night DJ is NIGEL DELGALDO and he starts the entertainment right after the POT LUCK DINNER. The ever popular classic trophies by DR FEELGOOD will be presented to winners on Saturday.
Come out and help us honor the lady who has put her heart and soul into this event for over 13 years – She loves the chili cooks and those cooks that know Georgia certainly love her. In recognition of her efforts and success, the Legion renamed their Sunday cookoff to: Georgia Horner Chili Cookoff.

Converse is on the Northeast side of San Antonio. For information or assistance call Ken Rodd, 210 887 8827 or email casihotrodd@aol.com

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and thoughts.  My Dad is still struggling, but he is a fighter.  I am trying to balance getting my CASI work finished and taking care of both my Mom and Dad.  He is still in the hospital.  They put a feeding tube in yesterday.  He did stand up 3 times.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers.  Thanks to all of you!

 The Anuual Winter CASI Board of Director's meeting will be held at the Irving Elks on Sunday January 17.  On Saturday, January 16, the Board of Directors will be holding thier annual workshop.  All CASI members are welcome to attend both meetings.  The Saturday meeting will be informal and will recognize comments from the attendees.  The Actual Board of Directors Draft Agenda for Sunday is as follows:

From Doris Coats:
To those who are attending the CASI Board of Director's Meeting at the Irving Elks on January 16 and 17, the Irving Elks Lodge is hosting a RSVP Prime Rib Dinner on Saturday night, January 16, at 7:00PM.  If you and your guest would like to enjoy this gourmet meal, please RSVP to John Gray at  jgray2203verizon.net  before Monday, Jan 11th so that he will have enough Prime Rib for those what want to enjoy this wonderful meal.


PRIME RIB DINNER $12.00 PRIME RIB &SHRIMP $15.00  Do not forget to  RSVP to  jgray2203@verizon.net  before January 11, 2010.

The Lodge kitchen will be serving Steaks, Chicken & Burgers on Friday evening. When you RSVP let John know if you will be eating dinner at the Lodge on Friday.” Doris Coats.

From Ken Rodd:



Does anyone know a person that would sign up to take their new dog to Dog Obedience School and show up to the first class without the dog? Well I do, but I am committed not to tell.